Virginia Tech at Virginia, "Battle for the Commonwealth Cup." 3:30 p.m. ESPNU
The Hokies are trying to best the Cavaliers for the 10th straight time today and fifth consecutive time in Charlottesville. Virginia is playing for pride and a chance to salvage a disastrous season. Certainly, if Virginia could pull off the upset today -- the Hokies are 13.5-point favorites -- it would put a small Band-Aid on this season, ease the hurt a little bit. Virginia Tech could be playing for a Coastal Division title if Duke loses to UNC. That game, which started at noon, is going on right now on ESPN2. If the Blue Devils win, they win the Coastal and get to play Florida State in the ACC championship. If they lose, and the Hokies win, Virginia Tech gets its shot at the Seminoles. If Duke and Tech lose somehow today, then Miami, which beat Pittsburgh on Friday, wins the division.
Looking at today's game, the only chance Virginia has, I believe, is if it wins the turnover battle. Virginia Tech always seems to bring a nastier attitude to this game when it is played in Charlottesville than when it is played in Blacksburg. A fumble, a muffed punt, a couple picks thrown by UVa QB David Watford, and I think this one will be over. If I were the 'Hoos, I would feed RB Kevin Parks. He needs 74 yards to be Virginia's first back since Alvin Pearman in 2004 to gain 1,000 yards on the season. That would be a good
accomplishment that could shine another bright light on a dismal season. It also gives Virginia the best chance at a win. Then, give Watford some shorter throws over the middle of the field that are easy to complete (no wide receiver screens, please! His first play last week, a screen, was picked off and taken back for a TD by Miami). Every now and then, take a shot down the field to keep the Hokies honest. But most of all, pound the rock and see what that brings you.
Virginia's defense played better last week with starters Brent Urban and Maurice Canady back in the fold. Miami scored 45 points, but seven of those were off the aforementioned pick, and seven more points were set up when Miami intercepted Watford and brought the ball back to the 3-yard line. The Hokies defense is very tough, but the Hokies offense has not been a strong suit once again this year. The Virginia defense is probably capable of having its best game in a while. The biggest blow for the Hoos defense today is the fact that safety Anthony Harris, who leads the team, the ACC, and the nation in picks, must sit out the first half of today's game because of a targeting penalty on him next week. I actually never saw the call, but supposedly it was a bad call. Just add it to the laundry list of things that went wrong this Virginia football season. UVa will compensate in the first half by having Canady play some safety. Harris will be able to play in the second half. Hopefully the game is not out of reach by then. Heck, maybe Harris could come up with a game-changing pick in the fourth quarter.
I'd love to believe an upset could happen today but I just don't see it. I haven't picked Virginia to win a game in several weeks and I'm not going to pick it now playing a rival that has beaten it 38-0 in Charlottesville in 2011 and 42-13 two years before that. If Virginia can win the turnover battle and make good decisions down the stretch -- including on the sideline (faulty timeout usage last year anyone?) -- you never know what could happen. But I just don't think all those things will fall into place for the Cavs. Hokie dominance of the series continues.
Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 14
The Hokies are trying to best the Cavaliers for the 10th straight time today and fifth consecutive time in Charlottesville. Virginia is playing for pride and a chance to salvage a disastrous season. Certainly, if Virginia could pull off the upset today -- the Hokies are 13.5-point favorites -- it would put a small Band-Aid on this season, ease the hurt a little bit. Virginia Tech could be playing for a Coastal Division title if Duke loses to UNC. That game, which started at noon, is going on right now on ESPN2. If the Blue Devils win, they win the Coastal and get to play Florida State in the ACC championship. If they lose, and the Hokies win, Virginia Tech gets its shot at the Seminoles. If Duke and Tech lose somehow today, then Miami, which beat Pittsburgh on Friday, wins the division.
Looking at today's game, the only chance Virginia has, I believe, is if it wins the turnover battle. Virginia Tech always seems to bring a nastier attitude to this game when it is played in Charlottesville than when it is played in Blacksburg. A fumble, a muffed punt, a couple picks thrown by UVa QB David Watford, and I think this one will be over. If I were the 'Hoos, I would feed RB Kevin Parks. He needs 74 yards to be Virginia's first back since Alvin Pearman in 2004 to gain 1,000 yards on the season. That would be a good
Virginia's defense played better last week with starters Brent Urban and Maurice Canady back in the fold. Miami scored 45 points, but seven of those were off the aforementioned pick, and seven more points were set up when Miami intercepted Watford and brought the ball back to the 3-yard line. The Hokies defense is very tough, but the Hokies offense has not been a strong suit once again this year. The Virginia defense is probably capable of having its best game in a while. The biggest blow for the Hoos defense today is the fact that safety Anthony Harris, who leads the team, the ACC, and the nation in picks, must sit out the first half of today's game because of a targeting penalty on him next week. I actually never saw the call, but supposedly it was a bad call. Just add it to the laundry list of things that went wrong this Virginia football season. UVa will compensate in the first half by having Canady play some safety. Harris will be able to play in the second half. Hopefully the game is not out of reach by then. Heck, maybe Harris could come up with a game-changing pick in the fourth quarter.
I'd love to believe an upset could happen today but I just don't see it. I haven't picked Virginia to win a game in several weeks and I'm not going to pick it now playing a rival that has beaten it 38-0 in Charlottesville in 2011 and 42-13 two years before that. If Virginia can win the turnover battle and make good decisions down the stretch -- including on the sideline (faulty timeout usage last year anyone?) -- you never know what could happen. But I just don't think all those things will fall into place for the Cavs. Hokie dominance of the series continues.
Virginia Tech 24, Virginia 14
Comments
Post a Comment